Mawkyrwat/NONGSTOIN: A footbridge was washed away and roads were cut off while reports of landslides occurred in various parts of South West Khasi Hills due to incessant rainfall in the district for the past few days.
A footbridge connecting Marshillong and Jashiar village via Rilang River was washed away on Friday night after the water level rose above the danger line.
The Mawkyrwat-Marshilong road has also been cut off after the wing wall connected to the culvert was washed away by flood.
Meanwhile, on Friday night, a massive landslide occurred at Mawthawiang cutting off the Jashiar-Nongshilong road. Mawthawpdah-Rangdikhew road was also cut off due to major landslide on Thursday.
An official of the PWD Road said that clearing of the debris at Jashiar-Nongshilong road is expected to be finished in two days while the Mawthawpdah-Rangdikhew road is expected to be cleared by Sunday.
The official also said that repairing of the wing wall connected to the culvert on the Mawkyrwat-Marshilong road has already started and is expected to be done in 2-3 days.
Occurrences of minor landslides were also reported from almost all corners of the district and more are expected to occur if heavy rain continues to hit the district.
Meanwhile, flash flood and landslide occurred in various parts of West Khasi Hills district on Friday night after a heavy rainfall that lasted for two days.
No casualties have been reported so far during the incessant rains which began on Wednesday and lasted till Friday night. Traffic snarls were reported at Nongstoin and Mawkyrwat road where a flash flood caused restricted movement of vehicles in Mawthungkper village that connects West and South West Khasi Hills district.
The flash flood in Nongstoin – Mawkyrwat road caused traffic congestion since Friday night and it was reported that till Saturday evening, no vehicle owners wanted to take the risk of crossing the road.
In Nongstoin, residents along the Nonbah and Nondein river had to vacate their houses and shifted to safe places due to the flash flood. It was also reported that a house along the Nondein river bank was flooded with water. The District Disaster Management Authority, WKH has urged the public to keep alert in order to avoid any unwanted incident especially those staying close to the river.
On Saturday evening, heavy landslides were reported at Nongstoin – Tura By-pass and damaged the PHE pipelines which connect to Pyndengrei village. It was learnt that officials from PHE department had rushed to the spot to assess the damage. Sources said Pyndengrei village will be affected for a few days till the completion of the repair works.